Life preserver

ABSTRACT

A life preserver of the inflatable type having a vest-like outer garment formed with collar and body pockets in which a pair of inflatable flotation cells are housed in a normally collapsed and folded condition. The cells are identical but opposite, each including a collar lobe and a body lobe connected in free communication. The collar and body lobes of each flotation cell are diagonally opposed, that is, the left collar lobe communicates with the right body lobe, while the right collar lobe communicates with the left body lobe. Each flotation cell is out of communication with and is inflatable separately and independently from the other flotation cell, so that in the event one cell does not inflate properly, there will be a built-in safety factor in that the other cell will alone support the user, keeping him in a balanced condition in the water in view of the diagonally opposed relationship of the collar and body lobes of the inflated cell.

United States Patent 91 [111 3,771,183 Moran 1 Nov. 13, 1973 LIFE PRESERVER Primary Examinere-George E. A. Halvosa [75] Inventor: Harold J. Moran, Trenton, NJ. Assistant Examiner-Paul S-auberer AttorneyAlbert Sperry et a1.

[73] Assignee: Switlik Parachute Company,

1 r TE Pton, NJ. K h 7 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: M 22, 1972 r A life preserver of the inflatable type having a vestlike outer garment formed with collar and body pock- [211 Appl' 236950 ets in which a pair of inflatable flotation cells are housed in a normally collapsed and folded condition.

52 vs. C]. 9/342 The cells are identical but opposite, each including a [51] 1363 9/12 collar lobe and a body lobe connected in free commu- [58] Field of Search 9/311, 314, 316, nication- The collar and y lobes of each flotation 9/329 345 cell are diagonally opposed, that is, the left collar lobe communicates with the right body lobe, while the right [56] Ref Ci collar lobe communicates with the left body lobe. UNITED STATES PATENTS Each flotation'cell is out of communication with and is 3 66 070 8/1966 Ounk 9/342 inflatable separately and independently from the other flotation cell, so that in the event one cell does not inl,720,629 7 1929 D f 2,046,335 7li936 M22183: 91/3 3 2 2 Hate properly be a Safety factor. m that the other cell Wlll alone support the user, keeping FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS him in a balanced condition in the water in view of the 1,114,730 4/1956 France 9/333 diagonally opposed relationship of the collar and body lobes of the inflated cell.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures LIFE PRESERVER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention pertains to the art of inflatables, and more particularly to the art of manufacture of inflatable life preservers, especially those adapted to be incorporated in a vest-like protective garment, or in a survival suit, flight suit, or parachute harness. The invention, thus, falls within the field of inflatable life perservers compatible with all existing military personnel combat, safety and survival equipment and clothing. The invention, further, is so designed as to be incorporated in equipment and clothing designed for civilian use.

2. Prior Art Heretofore, life preservers falling within the general categories specified above have been designed specifically for maintaining the person of the wearer in a faceup position in the water in which the wearer hangs in the water in an inclined posture. This is a position which is particularly effective in increasing the probability of the wearers life being saved.

The prior, in this connection, has proceeded along a course in which collar and body or torso lobes have been incorporated in a combination garment, in such fashion that inflation of ayoke-like collar lobe portion, and of right and left hand body lobe portions, will be designed to support the user in the desired position.

Typical of the prior art as described above are the following patents:

Inventor Patent No. D. H. Peeler, et al. 3,345,657 1. Harding, et al. 3,354,480 .I. J. Mellin, Jr., et al. 3,497,889

It has been important, in life preservers as the type shown in the prior art patents, to assure that the flotation cell design will be capable of incorporation in any of various types of military garments, that is, there must be full compatibility with existing military clothing and equipment.

Of great importance, also, is the desirability of building in as much of a safety factor as possible. For example, in the Mellin, et al patent listed above, separate, non-communicating, flotation compartments are disclosed, so that if one compartment is damaged and does not inflate, the other compartment is still adapted to support the wearer, through provision of minimum value of pounds of buoyancy, sufficient to support the user even though the other cell is not functioning.

However, certain deficiencies have still been noted in the prior art. If, in prior art structures such as described above, one flotation cell does not function, then the wearer is supported in an unbalanced position in the water, and may be turned over on his side, may be rendered so unstable as to cause submergence of his head, or may be supported in a completely vertical position, in such fashion as to be subject to turbulence, again resulting in submergence and possible drowning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in its basic essential, comprises a flotation cell arrangement, in a compatible military garment, wherein the yoke-like, inflatable collar section of the preserver comprises right and left hand, non-communicating collar lobes. The invention further incorporates a pair of body lobes constituting the body section of the preserver, the body lobes, like the collar lobes, being symmetrically disposed in respect to the wearers body. I

In the invention, the right hand collar lobe is con nected by a communicating passage with the left hand body lobe, while the right hand body lobe is similarly connected to the left hand collar lobe. The connected left hand collar lobe and right body lobe form one flotation cell, whilethe connected right collar lobe and left body lobe form another flotation cell completely out of communication with and inflatable separately and independently from the first flotation cell.

As a result, the advantage is produced in that not only is there a built-in safety factor resulting from the provision of separate flotation cells, but also, each flotation cell, if it must function alone, will still support the users body in a balanced condition in the water, face up, in an inclined posture, clue to the fact that buoyancy is applied in the area of the wearers head as well as the wearers torso, at opposite sides of the wearers body, regardless of whether one -or both flotation cells are operable.

A further object and advantage of the invention resides in the provision of a life preserver of the type stated that can be manufactured, despite its obvious improvements over the prior art, at no greater cost than is required for other preservers heretofore designed not having the special advantages incorporated in the invention.

Still other objects and advantages are found in the complete compatibility of the invention with various types of military clothing and equipment, including survival gear, parachute equipment, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a view showing the life preserver in its inflated condition upon a wearer, various items or accessories of military equipment normally found in a life vest or preserver of this type being omitted for the sake of simplicity; I

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the life preserver as it appears when worn;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat enlarged, elevational view of the life preserver as seen from the rear, portions being broken away, various appendages and accessories not critical to operation of the life preserver per se being omitted for the sake of clarity and simplicity;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view substantially on line 4 4 of FIG. 3, portions being broken away;

FIG. 5 is a still further enlarged, transverse sectional view substantially on line 5 5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a view showing the flotation cells per se.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT mainly comprising improvements in the flotation cell arrangement.

In any event, preserver 10, as viewed in FIG. 1, may appropriately be considered as incorporating a collar lobe or yoke section generally designated 12, and a body lobe section generally designated 14. The collar and body lobe sections are embodied in a vest-like outer garment 16, in the illustrated example, formed of a suitable fabric and including a transversely extending collar lobe pocket 18 permanently connected through the provision of an inverted Y-shaped back secton 20 to the body section 14. Back section 20, thus, includes downwardly converging back straps 22 which in the illustrated example are of tubular form, permanently joined to and opening at their lower ends into laterally outwardly extending body lobe pockets 24, 24. The pockets are joined by a rear cross strap 26 of separable, adjustable design, adapted to extend across the back of the wearer, while at their outer end the body lobe pockets are provided with cooperating portions of a correspondingly separable and adjustable front cross strap 28.

No attempt is made to show stitching details, or the like, since the invention does not lie in this aspect of the construction, but rather, as previously noted herein lies in the particular form and arrangement of the flotation cells supported by the vest-like outer garment or other compatible piece of equipment or clothing.

The invention, accordingly, includes a first flotation cell or compartment generally designated 30, and a second flotation cell or compartment generally designated 32. As shown in FIG. 6, wherein the cells are illustrated per se, these are of identical but opposite form. Each of them is normally collapsed and folded within the hollow areas of the collar section 12, back section 20, and body section 14 of the preserver, but when expanded, the flotation cells cooperate to'define (see FIGS. 1 and 2) a neck-encircling collar or yoke, and a pair of inflated body lobes, provided at opposite sides of the wearers torso.

Considering the collar, and referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, cell 30 includes an arcuate collar lobe 34 which may be termed the right collar lobe. Cell 32 includes a left collar lobe 36 identical to but opposite the right lobe 34, and disposed wholly out of communication with said lobe 34, as seen from FIG. 3 in which it is observed that the lobes 34, 36 fit within opposite end of the continuous, elongated collar lobe pocket 18 of the protective outer garment.

Flotation cells 30, 32 respectively include body lobes 38, 40 respectively, housed within the body lobe pockets 24.

Each flotation cell includes its own inflating means. Thus, cells 30, 32 are respectively provided with pressurized gas inflation devices 42, 44 respectively, which are of well known construction, and include the usual lanyards individually pulled to release carbon dioxide or other pneumatic fluid into the respective cells.

It is also understood that each cell would normally be provided with an oral inflation device, not shown, for use in the event the pressurized device should malfunction.

Cells 30, 32 are respectively provided with connecting tubes or passages 46, 48, with passage 46 freely communicating between the diagonally opposed body and collar lobes 38, 34 of cell 30, while passage 48 providescorresponding free communication between the body and collar lobes 40, 36 of cell 32.

When the collar lobes are inflated, they can be connected together at the front by means of ties 50 (FIG. 1

Any suitable means can be provided for permitting the body lobes and collar lobes to pop out of their associated pockets when inflated. To this end, the pockets may be provided with opening 52 of the body section, and corresponding, slit-like openings 54 of the collar section.

By reason of the arrangement illustrated and described, it is observed that each flotation cell includes, in diagonally opposed relation, a collar and a body lobe connected in free communication and provided with its own inflating device. Each flotation cell is, at the same time, wholly out of communication with the other flotation cell. Yet, both flotation cells are integrated in a single life preserver, in such fashion as to be wholly compatible with existing types of military equipment and clothing. Further, the arrangement is one in which the malfunctioning of one of the flotation cells still permits the other flotation cell to support the wearer in the proper, inclined face-up posture, due to the retention of inflated areas at opposite side of the wearer's body, in the region of the wearers neck and lower torso. This achieves a desirable result not heretofore achieved to my knowledge, and at the same time, the results are obtained without increase in the cost of life preservers of this type, and without loss of compatibility as regards use with military clothing or equipment of existing design.

I claim:

1. In a life preserver of the type including an outer garment and an inflatable flotation cell structure carried thereby, the improvement consisting of a pair of non-communicating flotation cells comprising said structure, each of which is inflatable independently of the other and includes a collar lobe in communication with a body lobe, said cells being identical but opposite, said structure including right and left collar lobes cooperating to form a symmetrically shaped yoke extending about the wearers neck, the body lobes also being right and left and being symmetrically disposed at opposite sides of the wearers torso, the left collar lobe and right body lobe being in communication to define one flotation cell, and the right collar lobe and left body lobe being in communication to define the other flotation cell.

2. A life preserver comprising a yoke-shaped neckencircling collar lobe portion and a body lobe portion each of which has non-communicating right and left sides in communication with the diagonally opposite side of the other portion.

3. A life preserver as in claim 2 in which the collar lobe portion includes a pocket member and inflatable, right and left lobes collapsed therein, the' body lobe portion including a pair of body lobe pockets connectable about the wearers body and inflatable right and left body lobes collapsed therein.

4. A life preserver as in claim 3 including a protective, vest-like outer garment and two separately formed, wholly non-communicating, independently inflatable flotation cells carried thereby, each of which includes diagonally opposite collar and body lobes freely communicating with each other through the provision of an elongated passage extending therebetween.

5. A life preserver as in claim 4 in which said garment is shaped to include a collar pocket section in which the tive flotation cell connecting passages.

7. In a flotation cell structure for inflatable life preservers, the improvement comprising paired lobes arranged symmetrically along the wearers person with each pair of lobes out of communication with and inflatable independently of any other pair, the lobes of each pair being disposed at opposite sides of the wearers person, in symmetrical relation to corresponding lobes of another 'pair. 

1. In a life preserver of the type including an outer garment and an inflatable flotation cell structure carried thereby, the improvement consisting of a pair of non-communicating flotation cells comprising said structure, each of which is inflatable independently of the other and includes a collar lobe in communication with a body lobe, said cells being identical but opposite, said structure including right and left collar lobes cooperating to form a symmetrically shaped yoke extending about the wearer''s neck, the body lobes also being right and left and being symmetrically disposed at opposite sides of the wearer''s torso, the left collar lobe and right body lobe being in communication to define one flotation cell, and the right collar lobe and left body lobe being in communication to define the other flotation cell.
 2. A life preserver comprising a yoke-shaped neck-encircling collar lobe portion and a body lobe portion each of which has non-communicating right and left sides in communication with the diagonally opposite side of the other portion.
 3. A life preserver as in claim 2 in which the collar lobe portion includes a pocket member and inflatable, right and left lobes collapsed therein, the body lobe portion including a pair of body lobe pockets connectable about the wearer''s body and inflatable right and left body lobes collapsed therein.
 4. A life preserver as in claim 3 including a protective, vest-like outer garment and two separately formed, wholly non-communicating, independently inflatable flotation cells carried thereby, each of which includes diagonally opposite collar and body lobes freely communicating with each other through the provision of an elongated passage extending therebetween.
 5. A life preserver as in claim 4 in which said garment is shaped to include a collar pocket section in which the respective collar lobes are collapsibly folded in symmetrical, side-by-side relation, a body pocket section in which the respective body lobes are collapsibly folded in symmetrically disposed relation, and a back section connecting the collar and body sections in supporting relation to the passages of the respective flotation cells.
 6. A life preserver as in claim 5 in which said back section includes a pair of symmetrically arranged back straps diverging downwardly from the collar section to the body section in supporting relation to the respective flotation cell connecting passages.
 7. In a flotation cell structure for inflatable life preservers, the improvement comprising paired lobes arranged symmetrically along the wearer''s person with each pair of lobes out of communication with and inflatable independently of any other pair, the lobes of each pair being disposed at opposite sides of the wearer''s person, in symmetrical relation to corresponding lobes of another pair. 